SZYMANOWSKI • PIANO WORKS • SOBCZAK

DUX 1502
• 9 Preludes, Op. 1 (1899–1900) • Sonata No.2 in A major Op.21 (1911) • 4 Mazurkas, Op. 50 • Study in B flat minor Op. 4 No. 3

Piano works by Karol Szymanowski pose a considerable challenge to their performers. Although the composer himself was an active instrumentalist, he never thought about his works in a purely pianistic way. This work is full of textural complexities which, in combination with numerous compositional indications, regulating tempo and dynamics, do not facilitate interpretation. A recording of a pianist who earned a reputation as promoter of Polish music, Radosław Sobczak, shows that even the most difficult textural traps do not pose any difficulty for this artist. The album programme consists of: Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major. Op. 21, 2 Mazurkas from Op. 50, Etude in B flat minor, Op. 4 No. 3, and rarely performed Preludes, Op. 1.

CD DUX 1502Total time: [58:58]

Karol Szymanowski

9 Preludes, Op. 1 (1899–1900)

1. Preludium h-moll nr 1 | Prelude No. 1 in B minor: Andante ma non troppo

[2:16]

2. Preludium d-moll nr 2| Prelude No. 2 in D minor: Andante con moto

[2:14]

3. Preludium Des-dur nr 3 | Prelude No. 3 in D flat major: Andantino

[1:48]

4. Preludium nr 4 b-moll | Prelude No. 4 in B flat minor: Andantino con moto

[1:46]

5. Preludium nr 5 d-moll | Prelude No. 5 in D minor: Allegro molto – Impetuoso

[1:21]

6. Preludium nr 6 a-moll | Prelude No. 6 in A minor: Lento – Mesto

[2:06]

7. Preludium nr 7 c-moll | Prelude No. 7 in C minor: Moderato

[3:09]

8. Preludium nr 8 es-moll | Prelude No. 8 in E flat minor: Andante ma non troppo

[2:35]

9. Preludium nr 9 b-moll | Prelude No. 9 in B flat minor: Lento – Mesto

[2:47]

Karol Szymanowski

Sonata No.2 in A major Op.21 (1911)

10. I Allegro assai. Molto appassionato

[10:34]

11. II Allegretto tranquillo. Grazioso

[19:19]

Karol Szymanowski

4 Mazurkas, Op. 50

12. nr 14 | No. 14: Animato

[1:54]

13. nr 15 | No. 15: Allegretto dolce

[2:41]

Karol Szymanowski

Study in B flat minor Op. 4 No. 3

14. | Etude in B minor, Op. 4 No. 3

[4:11]

Performers:
Radosław Sobczak /piano/

composers	Szymanowski, Karol ∎
performers	Sobczak, Radosław ∎
Releases Year	2017